Skukuza Camp (Kruger NP)

 camp, animals, birdwatching area, nature conservation park / area

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-National Park
The administrative headquarters of the park and Kruger's largest rest camp, Skukuza positively buzzes with activity. Situated on the banks of the perennial Sabie River, in one of the best game-viewing areas of the park, it is popular year-round. The name Skukuza originates from Stevenson-Hamilton's Shangaan nick-name, meaning 'turns everything upside down' or 'sweeps clean' after his efforts to turn the then Sabi Reserve, the forerunner of the Kruger National Park, into a viable conservation proposition.

Accommodation
The best units are those downriver from the shop and restaurant complex.
The simplest of the chalets are 2- and 3-bed bungalows, which makes use of communal kitchens facilities. Next up are the 2- and 3-bed bungalows with basic kitchen facilities. There is also 2-person, luxury, riverside bungalows with magnificent views over the Sabie River. In addition there is 4-, 6-, 7- and 9-bed guest cottages, all of which have a fully equipped kitchenette.

Safari tents with 2- and 4- bed units are available, but all make use of communal kitchens and bathroom facilities. Each unit is equipped with a small fridge/freezer.

Camping and caravanning sites are spread over a wide area to the east of the rest camp. Numerous communal kitchens are strategically placed throughout.

Elephant, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, impala, waterbuck and other species can be seen from the camp as they come down to the banks of the Sabie River to drink. A large number of bats roost under the thatched roof outside the takeaway restaurant. At night thick-tailed galagos (bushbabies) are sometimes seen leaping from tree to tree, while genets are regular visitors.

This is one of the best game-viewing areas in the park. Wild dog are often seen along the surrounding roads early in the morning. Hyena are also very common around Skukuza and this is one of the best areas in the park to view these interesting and often-maligned predators. The entire river drainage area is crowded with life, and whether you drive around or find a good vantage point over the river, in which case look out for giant water monitors, you are likely to be richly rewarded.

Lion are frequently seen in the area, while leopard are seen every day along the densely vegetated river margins. Elephant are abundant in the Sabie River and large buffalo herds visit relatively often. Rhino can be slightly trickier to find but do occur in the area.

A large number of birds species are attracted to the majestic trees that shroud the camp, in particular, look out for the African green pigeon, brown-headed parrots and paradise, black, dusky, spotted, grey tit (fan-tailed) and pallid flycatchers. In summer, massive nesting colonies of lesser-masked and village (spotted-backed) weavers congregate near the restaurant. Bat hawks and Eurasian hobbies are often seen over the river, while African finfoot and half-collared kingfishers are not uncommon. The river walk can be very productive, with sightings of collared sunbird, red-backed and bronze manikin, red-faced cisticola, spectacled weaver, purple-crested turaco and orange-breasted, grey-headed and gorgeous bush-shrikes.

It is worth visiting the nearby hide at Lake Panic, which offers fantastic viewing of various water birds including black-winged stilts, kingfishers and herons, not to mention crocodiles and terrapins, at close quarters.

www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/skukuza/